Movable pavement cutting machine with vertically adjustable and rocking axle



1956 H. J. WRIGHT 2,736,544

INE WITH VERTICALLY MOVABLE PAVEMENT CUTTING MACH ADJUSTABLE AND ROCKING AXLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 17, 1951 "Ill/ll/l/l/ll INVENTOR. Ham/d .J. il r/qfif BY Feb. 28, 1956 H wRlGHT 2,736,544

MOVABLE PAVEMENT CUTTING MACHINE WITH VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE AND ROCKING AXLE Filed Sept. 17, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. .2

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MOVABLE PAVEMENT CUTTING MACHINE WITH VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE AND ROCKING AXLE Filed Sept. 1'7, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /24 J M /?Z0 5 //6 m6 g g/ 440 452 W W Wm,

IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent MOVABLE PAVEMENT CUTTING MACHINE WITH VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE AND ROCKING AXLE Harold J. Wright, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to Concrete Saw Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 17, 1951, Serial No. 246,935

14 Claims. Cl. 262-20) This invention relates to cutting implements and more particularly to a machine for forming a kerf in pavements, road coverings and the like, the primary object being to provide novel structure for controlling the depth of cut and for assuring that the cutting blade or disc of the machine is maintained in a substantially vertical plane notwithstanding unevenness of terrain over which the machine is advanced.

It is the most important object of this invention to combine in a single unit structure for not only permitting the operator to vary the depth of cut by raising and lowering the cutting disc but to automatically hold the disc in a vertical plane over uneven terrain by virtue of free floating or swinging movement of the control structure relative to the main frame or platform to which the same is attached.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control unit for concrete saws that includes a swingable yoke for receiving a wheel and axle assembly, the yoke being pivotally mounted on a cross-head that is, in turn, swingably secured to the frame or platform of the machine, all to the end that the platform may be swung to vary the depth of cut and the axle of the aforesaid assembly be permitted to swing relative to the platform so that dips and rises in the pavement will not adversely effect the rotating cutter disc.

It is another object of the present invntion to provide control means for the aforesaid yoke that of itself rotates with respect to the frame and swings as dips and rises in the pavement are encountered so that no binding whatsoever takes place in any of the moving parts of the control mechanism.

A further object hereof is to provide a stop interconnecting the yoke and the platform that also is free to swing as the floating axle swings relative to the frame.

It is a very important object of the present invention to provide a novel interconnection between an axle re-' ceiving yoke and a cross-head having a pair of intersecting arms for the purpose of accomplishing the aforesaid results inexpensively and efliciently without need of complicated, cumbersome and heavy structure as has heretofore been necessary in machines of this type.

Other objects include many important details of construction and arrangement of parts, all of which will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pavement cutting machine made in accordance with the present invention and showing one side of the machine.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the machine, parts being broken away and in section to' reveal details of construction.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detailed, cross-sectional view taken on line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, detailed, fragmentary, crosssectional view taken on line IVIV of Fig. 3.

2,736,544 Patented Feb. 28, 1956 Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, crosssectional view taken on line VV of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the combination leveling structure and depth governing means including one of the Wheel and axle assemblies, the stop for limiting the extent of downward movement of the cutting disc, a portion of the hydraulic control and the brackets for mounting the unit on the platform of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, side elevational view similar to Fig. 2, parts being broken away and in section for clearness and illustrating a modified form of control.

The machine about to be described is rendered mobile through the medium of a pair of wheel and axle assemblies 10 and 12 respectively, the wheels whereof engage the ground or pavement to be cut and having attachment to a platform 14 that supports all of the operating parts when the machine is manually pushed through the medium of a pair of handle bars 16 that extend upwardly and rearwardly from the platform 14. A pair of side flanges 18 depending from the platform 14, serve as a means for receiving the lower ends of the substantially U-shaped handle bars 16 and flanges 18 also mount bearings 20 for the rear axle 22 of assembly 12. A suitable brake 24 is provided on the platform 14 for releasable engagement with one of the rear wheels 26 of the assembly 12 when it is desired to hold the machine against advancement down'an incline.

As shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, the bearings 27 rotatably receive a horizontal shaft 28 adapted to mount a cutter disc 30 on either end thereof. Pulley means 32 on the shaft 28 receive endless belts 34 that are in turn connected with a like number of pulleys 36 on the drive shaft of a prime mover 38. In the instance illustrated, the prime mover 38 constitutes a gasoline engine secured to a hollow base 40 that is in turn mounted upon the platform 14. A pair of shields 42 on the flanges 18 overlie the ends of the shaft 28 and accordingly, disc 30, depending upon which end of the shaft 28 the cutter disc 30 is mounted. Likewise, a protecting shield 44 is pro vided for the belts 34. Resilient flaps 46 depending from within the shields 42, deflect flying fragments of the material being cut and any water discharged from the blade. 1

The two spaced-apart handle bars 16 receive a small tank 48 adapted to receive a pressurized coolant, and a hose 50 having a valve 52 therein is connectedto the tank 48 and adapted for attachment to either or both of the shields 42. Coolant may be supplied through connection 53 on tank 48 when the machine is in the proxirnity of a source of supply thereof. Under such conditions valve 55 in connection 53 is opened and a hose is attached.

Platform 14 has a pair of sockets, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings and designated by the numeral 54 for selectively receiving a swingable pointer 56 that facilitates the operator in following a guide line. Likewise, a frame 58 swingable on the platform 14 at the forwardmost end thereof, has a tubular cross member 60 adapted to receive a similar pointer 62 at either end thereof.

The wheel. and axle assembly 10 includes an axle 64 having a pair of ground-engaging wheels 66 rotatably mounted on the ends thereof. A yoke 68 provided with a tubular bight 70 receives the axle 64 and releasably holds the same in place by means of set'screws or the like 72. Yoke 68 includes additionally a pair of spacedapart, substantially parallel legs 74 that receive a crosshead 76 therebetween. Cross-head 76 includes a pair of intersecting arms 78 and 80 rigidly interconnected and a swingably secured to the legs 74 of yoke 68. Tubular arm 78 of cross-head 76 is provided with a shaft 82 for pivotally securing the cross-head 76 to the legs 74 for swinging movement on a substantially horizontal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the axle 64.

A pair of L-shaped flanges secured to the lowermost face of the platform 1-: between the side flanges 15 thereof, each carrying a bearing 33 which swingably receive the pintles 79 in the ends of arm 80 for limited swinging movement on a horizontal axis parallel with the normal path of travel of the machine.

From the shaft .82 the legs 74 project inwardly and upwardly in a pair of extensions 36 that in turn terminate .in a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending parallel perforated cars 83; an opening 9 in the platform 14 adjacent the flange 18 but communicating with the base .40 accommodates the extensions 36 and cars 86 of yoke 68.

A substantially U-shaped bracket 92 on the platform 14 adjacent the rearwardrnost end thereof, receives a vertical pin 94 that in turn receives one end of a hydraulic cylinder 96 for free swinging movement on a vertical axis.

An opening 98 within a plug liiii secured to the cylinder 96 for receiving the pivotal pin 94 is rather large as shown in Fig. 5, to the end that the cylinder 96 may also be permitted to swing to a limited degree at least on a horizontal axis intersecting the pin 94. The cylinder 96 extends forwardly from the pin 94- above the platform 14 and terminates within the hollow base 40, there being an opening not shown, in the latter snfliciently large to permit the swinging movement of the cylinder 96 just above described.

A piston 102 reciprocably mounted in the cylinder 96 has a stem 104 that is pivotally secured to the cars 88 of yoke 68 between which it is disposed by means of a pivot pin 106, piston 102 and stem 104 being also freely rotatable with respect to the cylinder 96. A hydraulic pump 108 having a manual handle 110 and a control valve provided with a manual lever 112, all of conventional character, is carried by the handle bars 16 adjacent the uppermost ends thereof. The pump 108 is conon the axle 22 and the disc 36 is accordingly raised to produce a shallower cut or to elevate the disc 30 to a point completely out of engagement with the pavement or terrain over which the machine is advanced.

Operation of the lever 112 releases the hydraulic pressure and accordingly by the weight of the machine, platform 14 will swing on axle 22, downwardly to .a predetermined dcpth of cut as determined by the stop nut 122 engaging the hollow base 40. It is seen that no binding action takes place during the swinging movement of yoke 63 on cross-head 76 or arms 78 thereof because cylinder 96 is free to swing along a horizontal axis intersecting the pin 94 and the screw 11.8 is free to swing on a horizontal axis through the opening 12d.

Irrespective of the adjusted height of the disc 30, the wheels 66 are free to fall or rise as determined by unevenness of terrain that may include rises in the pavement, ruts, dips, holes or buckling that is commonly encountered when machines of this character are used for repair purposes. if either of the wheels 66 moves vertically to swing the axle .64 on its transverse axis, yoke 68 will swing and such swinging movement is permitted by virtue of the pivotal connection between the pintles 79 of arm 89 of cross-head 76 within the bearings 83. It is seen therefore, that the wheels 66, the axle 64, the entire yoke 68, and the cross-head 76 swing as a unit relative to the platform 14 in accordance with the nature of the terrain irrespective of its degree of unevenness. No binding will take place to impede such free swinging movement of the unit shown in Fig. 6 for the reason that stem 104 and piston 162 can rotate in the cylinder 96, the latter can swing on intersecting axes through pin 94 and the screw 118 is free to swing in all direction within the slot 129. This important feature of the present invention assures that platform id will always remain substantially horizontal and level, and the disc 34 will always out a substantially vertical kerf without any attention on the part of the operator leaving him free to attend to nected with the cylinder 96 through the medium of a suit- 3 able conduit 114.

A clevis 116 embracing the ears 2'53 and pivotally secured to the pin 106, has a screw 118 secured to the bight thereof. Screw 118 extends forwardly through an opening 120 within the base 46 sufliciently large to permit free swinging movement of the screw 11% on a plurality of axes. A stop nut 122 on the screw 11% is adapted to bear against the base 44 and is held in a selected position by means of a setscrew 124 carried by the nut 122 and engageable with the screw 118.

It is clear that in operation energization of the prime mover 38 will drive the shaft 28 through pulleys 32 and 36 and belts 34 which in turn rotates the disc 30 irrespective of upon which end of shaft 28 the same is mounted. As the operator advances the machine by manipulating handles 16, the supporting wheels 26 and 66 will roll along the pavement or roadway to be cut and a kerf will be formed therein by the rotating cutter 30 in the manner illustrated by Fig. 2 of the drawing.

During operation the disc 35} is cooled by opening the valve 52 and permitting escape of the pressurized coolant through the hose 5t and thence to the disc 30. A predetermined path of travel may be followed through the medium of a pointer 56 and/ or 62 following a guide line. The operator may determine the depth of cut by opening the valve to which lever 112 is connected and manipulating handle 110 to force hydraulic fluid into cylinder 96. As the piston 162 is forced toward the yoke 63, the latter will swing on the shaft 552 of cross-head '76 and the axle 64 will swing with the wheels 66 to raise the cross-head 76, the flanges 84 and accordingly, the forwardmost end of the platform 14. Platform 14 swings hereinabove used.

pushing the machine along a predetermined guided path. It is particularly notable that the axle 64 may be tipped on its transverse axis without efiecting in any way the operation of the hydraulic system to raise and lower the disc 30.

In Fig. 8 of the drawing, there is illustrated a modified form of raising and lowering control for the yoke 68, all parts that are identical with the machine shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive being identified by the same numerals In lieu of the hydraulic cylinder 96 and associated parts, there is provided a screw 126 internally threaded on bracket 128 carried by the platform 14. The screw 126 passes through an opening 130 formed in the base and a ball and socket joint 132 is provided to connect the screw 126 with a link 134 that is pivotally connected with pin ms in the same manner as the connection of stem 104 as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. As yo e 68 is caused to swing .on the shaft 82 through manipulation of a control wheel 136 on the screw 126, the link 134 is free to pivot within the joint .132 and similarly, as the axle 64 swings on its transverse axis, the ball and socket joint 132 avoids binding and permits the free swingiug movement of yoke 68 on the axis of arm 80.

This modification and any others that fairly come within the spirit of this invention are manifestly contemplated hereby and it is, therefore, desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a cutting machine having a support, a cutter mounted on the support for rotation on a horizontal axis, and apparatus for rendering the support mobile, including a wheel and axle assembly, structure for controlling the depth of cut of said cutter and maintaining said axis substantially horizontal as the machine is advanced over uneven terrain, said structure including a member pivotally mounted on the support for swinging movement on an axis parallel with the normal path of travel of the machine; an element secured to the axle of said assembly and pivotally mounted on the member for swinging movement parallel with the axis of said axle; mechanism joining the support and the element for swinging the latter; stop means engageable with the support for limiting the extent of swinging movement of the element relative to the member in on direction; and a device connecting the stop means with the element, said stop means being movable on the device for rendering the same adjustable.

2. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein both said mechanism and said device are pivotally secured to the support for swinging movement relative to the support as said member, said element, and said assembly swing as a unit relative to the support.

3. In a cutting machine having a platform, a combination platform raising and lowering means and platform leveling means, including a wheel and axle assembly; an element on the axle of said assembly; a member pivotally secured to the element for swinging movement on a first axis; means pivotally securing the member to the platform for swinging movement of the assembly, the member and the element as a unit on a second axis, relative to the platform, one of said axes being substantially parallel with said axle, the two axes being substantially relatively perpendicular; and extensible mechanism pivotally interconnecting the platform and the element for swinging the latter on the axis parallel with the axle to an adjusted position and for holding the element in said adjusted position while permitting swinging about said other axis.

4. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first axis is parallel with said axle and said second axis parallel with the normal direction of travel of the machine.

5. In a cutting machine, a platform; a cross-head having first and second elongated arms disposed in intersecting relationship; a yoke pivotally attached to said first arm for swinging movement on the longitudinal axis of said first arm; a wheel and axle assembly mounted on the yoke for swinging movement therewith; means pivotally securing said second arm to the platform for swinging movement relative thereto on the longitudinal axis of said second arm, one of said arms being substantially pcrpendicular to the direction of travel of the machine, said arms being substantially relatively perpendicular; and extensible control means pivotally interconnecting the yoke and the platform for selective swinging of the yoke about the axis of the arm perpendicular to the direction of travel of the machine while permitting swinging about said longitudinal axis of said second arm.

6. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means includes a hydraulic cylinder pivotally secured to the platform, and a piston in the cylinder pivotally secured to the yoke.

7. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means includes a screw on the platform, and a link pivotally secured to the yoke and to the screw.

8. In a cutting machine having a support, a cutter mounted on the support for rotation on a horizontal axis, and apparatus for rendering the support mobile, including a wheel and axle assembly, structure for controlling the depth of cut of said cutter and maintaining said axis substantially horizontal as the machine is advanced over uneven terrain, said structure including a member pivotally mounted on the support for swinging movement on an axis parallel with the normal path of travel of the machine; an element secured to the axle of said assembly and pivotally mounted on the member for swinging movement relative to the member on an axis parallel with the axis of said axle; and adjustable means pivotally interconnecting the support and the element for holding the latter in adjusted positions relative to the support, about said second axis while permitting swinging about said first axis said member and said element comprising the sole means for securing the axle to the support.

9. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein the axis of swinging movement of the member on the support intersects the axis of swinging movement of the element relative to the member.

10. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means is pivotally secured to the support for swinging movement relative to the support as said member, said element, and said assembly swing as a unit relative to the support.

11. In a cutting machine, a support; a cutter mounted on the support for rotation on a first axis; apparatus for rendering the support mobile including an axle having spaced elements thereon adapted to engage a supporting surface; and structure for maintaining said axis substantially parallel with said surface notwithstanding uneveness in the latter, said structure including a member pivotally mounted on the support for swinging movement on a second axis, an element secured to the axle of said assembly and pivotally mounted on the member for swinging movement relative to the latter on a third axis, and adjustable means pivotally interconnecting the support and the element for holding the latter against swinging movement about said third axis, while permitting swinging about said second axis said member and said element comprising the sole means for securing the axle to the support, said second and third axes being substantially relatively perpendicular, one of the latter being substantially parallel with the direction of movement of the machine and substantially perpendicular to said first axis.

12. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein the axle is substantially parallel with said third axis.

13. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said element comprises a substantially L-shaped yoke having the axle secured thereto at one end thereof and wherein said adjustable means is pivotally secured to the yoke at its opposite end.

14. In a cutting machine as set forth in claim 13 wherein is provided a screw pivotally secured to said opposite end of the yoke and provided with a stop disposed for engagement with the support for limiting the extent of downward movement of the latter toward said surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,415,949 Perelman May 16, 1922 1,564,090 Meiklejohn Dec. 1, 1925 2,159,699 Hirth May 23, 1939 2,468,336 Lewis Apr. 26, 1949 

